Lin-Manuel Miranda Is Reportedly Leaving Hamilton

Who lives, who dies, who decides when to say goodbye? Ending months of speculation from superfans, Lin-Manuel Miranda is reportedly leaving Hamilton on July 9, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It was only a matter of time, as it has long been rumored that Miranda would stay on through the Tony Awards, where the founding father spectacular is nominated for a record-breaking 16 awards, including Best Musical. As for his “replacement,” Miranda already sits out one show a week—Sundays—in which his understudy, Javier Muñoz, plays the title role.

Miranda, a certified MacArthur Genius and full-blown crossover celebrity, has already lined up impressive post-Hamilton plans: It was announced this week that he would star with Emily Blunt in Disney’s Mary Poppins sequel, set for 2018, and that Harvey Weinstein’s long-in-the-works film adaptation of Miranda’s 2008 Tony-winning musical, In the Heights, would finally be moving forward. An Oscar-sweeping Hamilton movie seems inevitable.

Even heartbroken fans would concede: Miranda can’t say no to any of this. But dreams of seeing the original cast are now officially in peril. Miranda’s departure will only intensify the frantic battle for Hamilton tickets. According to The Wrap, front row seats for July 9, reported to be his final performance, are now fetching $10,000. The report about his final bow also comes as original cast members—including Tony nominees Daveed Diggs (Thomas Jefferson), Christopher Jackson (George Washington), Phillipa Soo (Eliza Hamilton), and Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schuyler)—are negotiating new contracts.

The only consolation? Miranda also reportedly has an idea for a new musical. Lin-Manuel, history has its eyes on you.